Jets keep 4 quarterbacks on 53-man roster

By Ryan Wilson | CBSSports.com

August 31, 2013 8:30 PM ET

The deadline for NFL teams to get down to 53 players was 6 p.m. ET Saturday. The Jets announced their roster moves just after 8 p.m. ET, and perhaps the most surprising development was that the team will carry four quarterbacks, at least for the time being.

Coach Rex Ryan hasn't officially named a starter, although Smith will almost certainly be under center for the Week 1 opener while Sanchez recovers from a shoulder injury he suffered during the fourth quarter of a meaningless preseason game. Simms, meanwhile, had a solid preseason, even if he was fined by the league for brandishing fake six-shooters to celebrate a touchdown. Then there's Harrell, who was released last week by the Packers in favor of Vince Young (who was released Saturday) and B.J. Coleman.

It's unclear why the Jets would carry four quarterbacks unless Sanchez's injury could keep him out more than a week, or if there is a plan to try to trade one of them at some point.

For now, Ryan and general manager John Idzik are reportedly in agreement that the Sanchez era in New York is over and it will be Smith's job to lose.